(Newser)
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An ordinance that would have established nondiscrimination protections for gay and transgender people in Houston failed to win approval from voters on Tuesday. The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance was rejected after a nearly 18-month battle that spawned rallies, legal fights, and accusations of both religious intolerance and demonization of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. With nearly 95% of precincts reporting, Houston residents had rejected the ordinance by a vote of 61% to 39%. Supporters said it would have offered increased protections for gay and transgender people, as well as protections against discrimination based on sex, race, age, religion, and other categories.

Opponents, including a coalition of conservative pastors, said it infringed on their religious beliefs regarding homosexuality. But in the months leading up to the vote, opponents focused their campaign on highlighting one part of the ordinance related to the use of public bathrooms by transgender men and women that opponents alleged would open the door for sexual predators to go into women's restrooms. Democratic Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who is gay, blamed the rejection by voters on opponents' "bathroom ordinance" campaign, which she called "fear mongering." The state's top two elected leaders—Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, both Republicans—praised the defeat, with Abbott saying the voters "showed values still matter." (The GOP scored a big win in Kentucky.)

Men and women should not share a public restroom! You are asking for trouble.

Capsized

Nov 5, 2015 9:21 PM CST

Are we supposed to be shocked in 2015 America that not everyone is on board with gay people? Get a clue. Large sections of religious people are Never going to be cool with it. Liberals believe social harassment can simply be legislated away and that police will protect us all in a world where we never get our feelings hurt. Just like legal victories on race issues have erased all racism... Lol Plus can we just take two seconds to examine this discomfort rationally? I have had plenty of cool gay friends. I have also met some freakin fruit loop gay people who I was just not comfortable being around. Recognizing those people exist is not an automatic blanket of blind hate, it's simply realism.

TheJman

Nov 5, 2015 3:20 PM CST

These people have mental issues and need help...not rights that trump normal people. Liberals are only ruining their lives by encouraging this BS. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/michael-w-chapman/johns-hopkins-psychiatrist-transgender-mental-disorder-sex-change